Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts
Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts is much more than a complex of buildings on Manhattan’s Upper West Side: it is the cultural heart of New York City 🗽, where the world’s most prestigious performing arts come to life. Known worldwide for housing institutions such as the Metropolitan Opera, the New York City Ballet, and the New York Philharmonic, this place represents the artistic excellence and cultural vitality of the city.
Located between Columbus Avenue and Amsterdam Avenue, and West 65th and West 66th Streets, Lincoln Center is an essential visit for lovers of music, dance, opera, and theater. Whether attending a world-renowned show, strolling through its iconic plaza, or simply admiring its modern architecture, its unique atmosphere makes it an unforgettable experience. ✨
Why Visit Lincoln Center?
Visiting Lincoln Center means immersing yourself in the epicenter of New York’s performing arts. It is an emblematic place offering an unparalleled concentration of talent and creativity. Here, majestic theaters, dancing fountains, art students, and an inspiring cultural energy converge. 🎭🎻🩰
Its cultural importance is immense: it is home to some of the most important artistic companies on the planet and has been the stage for countless premieres and legendary performances. Furthermore, its architectural design, featuring the famous Revson Fountain at the center of the plaza, is a landmark in itself.
Lincoln Center is also a symbol of New York’s commitment to the arts. It represents a space for meeting, learning, and enjoyment for millions of visitors each year. If you want to experience the pinnacle of New York culture, this is your destination.
How to Get to Lincoln Center by Subway?
Main Stations
The main station providing direct access to Lincoln Center is 66th St–Lincoln Center, located right at the complex entrance on Broadway. This station drops you just steps away from the main theaters and the central plaza. 🚇
Subway Lines to Lincoln Center
Lincoln Center is perfectly connected by the New York City subway. The main line that stops at the 66th St–Lincoln Center station is:
- 1 (red line)
Additionally, the 59th St–Columbus Circle station is very close (about a 5-10 minute walk) and offers more connections:
- A, B, C, D (orange and blue lines)
- 1 (red line)
How to get to Lincoln Center from:
Central Park / Columbus Circle
If you are in the western area of Central Park or at Columbus Circle, you can walk north along Broadway or Columbus Avenue in just a few minutes. Alternatively, take the 1 line northbound one stop from Columbus Circle to 66th St.
Lower Manhattan (Wall Street / World Trade Center)
From Lower Manhattan, the most direct way is to take the 1 line (northbound/uptown) directly to the 66th St–Lincoln Center station.
Brooklyn (DUMBO / Williamsburg)
From DUMBO, you can take the A or C line to 59th St–Columbus Circle and walk for a few minutes. From Williamsburg, take the L line to 14th St–Union Sq and transfer to the northbound 1 line to 66th St.
Queens (Long Island City / Flushing)
If coming from Long Island City or Flushing, you can take the 7 line to Times Sq–42 St and transfer to the northbound 1 line to 66th St. Another option is to take the E or F lines and make a convenient transfer.
Harlem
From the north, in Harlem, simply take the 1 line southbound (downtown) to the 66th St–Lincoln Center station.
Airports (JFK / LaGuardia / Newark)
From JFK Airport, take the AirTrain to Jamaica station and transfer to the E line towards Manhattan. Get off at 7th Ave/53rd St and walk or transfer to the uptown 1 line. From LaGuardia, take the Q70-SBS bus to Jackson Hts–Roosevelt Av and change to the E or F line. From Newark (EWR), take the AirTrain and NJ Transit to Penn Station, and then the 1 subway line northbound to 66th St. ✈️
What to Do at Lincoln Center?
Lincoln Center is a fascinating destination, not just for its shows, but for the entire atmosphere surrounding it. It offers a variety of cultural and architectural experiences that capture the essence of the performing arts in New York. ✨🏛️
Enjoy World-Class Performances
The main reason to visit is to attend a performance. You can see opera at the Metropolitan Opera House, ballet at the David H. Koch Theater, symphony concerts at the David Geffen Hall, plays at the Vivian Beaumont Theater, or arthouse cinema at the Walter Reade Theater. Check the schedule and book your tickets. 🎟️
Explore the Architecture and the Plaza
Take time to stroll through Josie Robertson Plaza and admire the iconic Revson Fountain. The mid-20th-century modern architecture of the main buildings (designed by renowned architects like Philip Johnson and Wallace K. Harrison) is impressive, especially when illuminated at night. ⛲🌃
Visit the New York Public Library for the Performing Arts
Inside the complex is the New York Public Library for the Performing Arts. It’s an incredible research library and often hosts free exhibitions related to music, dance, and theater. 📚
Attend Events and Festivals
Lincoln Center organizes numerous free and paid events throughout the year, especially in the summer with programs like “Summer for the City,” which includes outdoor concerts, dance nights, and film screenings. Check their calendar to see what coincides with your visit. 🎉
Take Photos and Enjoy the Atmosphere
It’s a perfect spot for photography, capturing the grandeur of its buildings and the energy of the plaza. Sit near the fountain, watch the Juilliard School students who often practice outdoors, or grab a drink at one of the nearby cafes or restaurants. 📸☕
Attractions Near Lincoln Center
Lincoln Center is strategically located in the vibrant Upper West Side, surrounded by other cultural and leisure attractions that you can easily visit on foot or with a short public transport ride.
Central Park
Just one block east is the entrance to Central Park near Strawberry Fields (the John Lennon memorial). It’s perfect for a relaxing walk before or after visiting Lincoln Center. 🌳
Columbus Circle
Walking south on Broadway, you’ll reach Columbus Circle, an iconic roundabout featuring The Shops at Columbus Circle mall (with luxury stores and restaurants), the Museum of Arts and Design (MAD), and the southwest entrance to Central Park. 🛍️
American Museum of Natural History
A few blocks north and east (along Central Park West) is the world-famous American Museum of Natural History, ideal for science and history lovers. 🦖🦴
Upper West Side
Explore the charming Upper West Side neighborhood, known for its elegant apartment buildings (brownstones), boutique shops, bookstores like Barnes & Noble, and a great dining scene. 🏘️🍽️
Juilliard School
An integral part of the Lincoln Center campus is the prestigious Juilliard School. Although access may be limited, there are sometimes free student concerts, and you can always admire its modern building. 🎓🎵
Riverside Park
A few blocks west lies Riverside Park, a beautiful park bordering the Hudson River. It offers paths for walking or biking, river views, and a more tranquil atmosphere. 🌊🚲
Tips for Visiting Lincoln Center
To make your experience at Lincoln Center perfect, keep in mind some practical tips that will help you plan your visit and make the most of this temple of culture. 👍
Best Time to Go
The best time depends on your goal. To explore the plaza and architecture, any time of day is good, although the lighting at night is spectacular. For attending shows, most are in the afternoon or evening. Always check the schedules for performances and building hours. 📅⏰
Buy Tickets in Advance
For performances by the main companies (Met Opera, NYCB, NY Phil), it is highly recommended to buy tickets well in advance, especially for popular titles or on weekends. Do this through the official websites of Lincoln Center or each resident company. 💻
Dress Code
Although there isn’t usually a strict dress code, people tend to dress smart casual or formal for operas and symphony concerts. For ballet or theater, it can be slightly more relaxed, but it’s always a good idea to dress up a bit more than usual. Avoid overly casual clothing like flip-flops or sportswear. 👔👗
Arrive Early
It is recommended to arrive at least 30 minutes before the performance starts. This will give you time to go through potential security checks, find your seat, read the program, or grab a drink in the lobby. Arriving late may mean you have to wait for an intermission to enter. ⏳🚶♀️
